On November 18, 1929, an
earthquake measuring 7.2 on
the Richter scale out in the
Atlantic Ocean on the Grand
Banks created a tidal wave.
Travelling at a speed of 140
kilometres per hour, the
tidal wave reached the Burin
Peninsula at 7:00 p.m., two
hours after residents in

Burin had first felt the
earthquake’s tremor. The
tidal wave claimed 27 lives,
along with many homes,
fishing equipment and winter
provisions, leaving families
destitute.
Monday, November 18, 1929
had been a routine autumn day
in the lives of the island

dwellers. When the ground
shook at 5:02 p.m., some
thought there had been an
explosion in the mines or on
a distant vessel. Yet nothing
immediately followed the
violent tremor so people
resumed their previous
activities. Two hours later,
when the tidal wave

devastated the Burin
Peninsula, no word could be
sent for assistance due to
broken telegraph lines. The
peninsula was left in
silence.
Tsunami 1929: Silence of
the Sea bears witness to the
silent power of the ocean. In
the eerie calm that followed